In this bonus episode of Outdoorsy, I’m diving into a topic I’ve been asked about a lot: How Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics apply outside the U.S. This is a Patreon-only episode, so head on over to https://www.patreon.com/c/Outdoorsy to listen to the full episode!
A bit of background: As my platform has grown and reached more global listeners, it’s become clear that our U.S.-centric framework doesn’t always translate, and that’s okay!
For this episode, I did a ton of research and crowd-sourced insights from my international community to bring you a more nuanced look at outdoor recreation ethics around the world. From Iceland’s invasive lupins to Scotland’s “right to roam” laws, I unpack how different regions manage access, protect ecosystems, and weave in cultural and spiritual values. Spoiler: Leave No Trace is more of a mindset than a strict rulebook.
I also talk about:
- Why staying on trail in the U.S. is different than in Alaska or Sweden
- The nuance behind those frolicking wildflower field photos
- How cultural and Indigenous practices may contradict and shouldn’t be policed by LNT principles
- What “digital Leave No Trace” means when you're sharing travel content online
- Why planning ahead and preparing is the single most universal outdoor ethic, no matter where you are
Whether you're planning an international hiking trip, wondering if it's okay to camp on private land in the UK, or just curious about how other cultures recreate outdoors, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for context, culture, and curiosity.
🔗 Full blog post with all the sources: https://www.madeleinewilson.org/post/global-outdoor-ethics-and-recreation-rules
🎧 If this episode resonates, please subscribe, leave a review, and check out my Patreon to support the show and join the Outdoorsy Discord community. We’ve got Cozy Camping Club meetups coming up, and you won’t want to miss them. Find that here: https://www.patreon.com/c/Outdoorsy.
Until next time, I hope you get outside in a way that makes sense to you, and remember: You belong out there.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.